11 answers
malu
Student
Anoka, Minnesota
2
Questions
Asked
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when applying for colleges, should I apply to universities even though I'm going to start off with a community college
I want to go to a community #college college first for 2 years but i don't know if i should apply for both community and university
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11 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1373
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Where to go to college is a huge decision Malu. For some students, it means going straight into a four-year college or university; for others, it’s going to a community college first and then transferring to a four-year school. Here are some are some pros and cons if you are considering the transfer route.
PROS OF TRANSFERRING FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• Community college is generally a lot cheaper than a traditional four-year college. Earning general education credits at a community college and transferring into a four-year school can help you save quite a lot of money.
• Community colleges help you explore different majors to help you get an idea of what you might want to study.
• Community college let you adjust to college coursework but it also allows you to stay close to home if you aren't feeling ready to go out on your own just yet.
• Community colleges offer many more night courses, and class schedules are more flexible if your planning on working while your in school to save money for your universities tuition.
• You'll earned your associate degree in about two years, so if something comes up that forces you to postpone a four-year college and go straight into the workforce, you can find plenty of jobs with this degree.
• Community colleges and four-year schools often have transfer counselors who can help you during process.
CONS OF TRANSFERRING FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• The workload is lighter, and although this sounds nice at first, you may not be fully prepared for the amount of work that is required at a four-year college. So keep this inn mind Malu.
• It might be harder to get into your four-year school as a transfer; admission rates tend to be slightly lower for transfer students. so mare sure you keep your grades up Malu
COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFERS TO 4 YEAR UNIVERSITIES CAN BE A PAINLESS TRANSITION
If you are worried about admissions, transferring credits from community college to university is much easier if you have a transfer counselor who will be helping you during the process. If you earn a solid GPA at your community college Malu, the transition will be smooth when it comes time for you to move into your planned university. You may even opt to transfer out after your freshman year, while others stay for the full 2 years before making the move to a 4-year college. Transferring credits from community college to university schools is a simple task, just be sure to confirm in advance that it will fit into your degree program. You will still walk across the stage at your final destination but the journey to your degree will be the most advantageous when compared with spending 4 years at a university.
The opportunity to improve your college transcripts is priceless as you may even qualify for scholarships that would not have been an option if you had entered directly into your university of choice. Especially if you are looking at prestigious universities, attending community college can give you a better chance of acceptance if you achieve good grades.
I hope this was Helpful Malu
PROS OF TRANSFERRING FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• Community college is generally a lot cheaper than a traditional four-year college. Earning general education credits at a community college and transferring into a four-year school can help you save quite a lot of money.
• Community colleges help you explore different majors to help you get an idea of what you might want to study.
• Community college let you adjust to college coursework but it also allows you to stay close to home if you aren't feeling ready to go out on your own just yet.
• Community colleges offer many more night courses, and class schedules are more flexible if your planning on working while your in school to save money for your universities tuition.
• You'll earned your associate degree in about two years, so if something comes up that forces you to postpone a four-year college and go straight into the workforce, you can find plenty of jobs with this degree.
• Community colleges and four-year schools often have transfer counselors who can help you during process.
CONS OF TRANSFERRING FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• The workload is lighter, and although this sounds nice at first, you may not be fully prepared for the amount of work that is required at a four-year college. So keep this inn mind Malu.
• It might be harder to get into your four-year school as a transfer; admission rates tend to be slightly lower for transfer students. so mare sure you keep your grades up Malu
COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFERS TO 4 YEAR UNIVERSITIES CAN BE A PAINLESS TRANSITION
If you are worried about admissions, transferring credits from community college to university is much easier if you have a transfer counselor who will be helping you during the process. If you earn a solid GPA at your community college Malu, the transition will be smooth when it comes time for you to move into your planned university. You may even opt to transfer out after your freshman year, while others stay for the full 2 years before making the move to a 4-year college. Transferring credits from community college to university schools is a simple task, just be sure to confirm in advance that it will fit into your degree program. You will still walk across the stage at your final destination but the journey to your degree will be the most advantageous when compared with spending 4 years at a university.
The opportunity to improve your college transcripts is priceless as you may even qualify for scholarships that would not have been an option if you had entered directly into your university of choice. Especially if you are looking at prestigious universities, attending community college can give you a better chance of acceptance if you achieve good grades.
I hope this was Helpful Malu
wow thank you for all the times , especially for the pros and cons that was very helpful.
malu
Your Welcome Malu, It was my Pleasure. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible”! – Audrey Hepburn
Doc Frick
Thank You Madalyn. “The broadest, and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteering: Doing more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you consider good. ” – Ivan Scheier
Doc Frick
Thank You Dexter. “The real opportunity for success lies within the person and not in the job.” – Zig Ziglar
Doc Frick
Kevin Hsu
FP&A
15
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hi - I have direct experience on this question. At a high-level, I would highly recommend.
To add onto some of the responses from others:
- Community college gave me a chance to shore up on some of the remedial basic education items (e.g. math).
- Financially saves a ton to go to community college. The general core classes offered at 4-year colleges vs. community college does not differ too much (e.g. Intro to Chemistry will cover the same topics no matter where you go)
The only adjustment you may have is socially as you will be entering as a "junior" and may be out of the loop on the social circle compared to those who came in as freshmen. To combat this - I would highly recommend taking a summer course at your 4-year college prior to transferring. This gives you time to adjust to campus life and used to the class structure at your new university. Also, this allows you to take 12 credits during the first semester at the new school rather than the standard 15 credits. This will put less pressure on your first semester academically and gives you time to focus on campus life. I personally used the extra time to participate in extracurriculars, join clubs, hang out with people, or simply just explore campus and the new city you are in!
Happy to elaborate on any of this more if you need more information! Good Luck!
To add onto some of the responses from others:
- Community college gave me a chance to shore up on some of the remedial basic education items (e.g. math).
- Financially saves a ton to go to community college. The general core classes offered at 4-year colleges vs. community college does not differ too much (e.g. Intro to Chemistry will cover the same topics no matter where you go)
The only adjustment you may have is socially as you will be entering as a "junior" and may be out of the loop on the social circle compared to those who came in as freshmen. To combat this - I would highly recommend taking a summer course at your 4-year college prior to transferring. This gives you time to adjust to campus life and used to the class structure at your new university. Also, this allows you to take 12 credits during the first semester at the new school rather than the standard 15 credits. This will put less pressure on your first semester academically and gives you time to focus on campus life. I personally used the extra time to participate in extracurriculars, join clubs, hang out with people, or simply just explore campus and the new city you are in!
Happy to elaborate on any of this more if you need more information! Good Luck!
Syed Ferdous
Program Manager
100
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Syed’s Answer
Hi Malu,
It’s worth it to apply to universities too and see the type of financial aid package you get. If you can handle the academic rigor and get a full ride at a university, it’s a better option than community college.
It’s worth it to apply to universities too and see the type of financial aid package you get. If you can handle the academic rigor and get a full ride at a university, it’s a better option than community college.
thank you!!!
malu
Yana B
Senior Support Engineer
10
Answers
Concord, California
Updated
Yana’s Answer
I think it all depends on your financial situation and your final goal.
If you are still planning to go to the UC after the community college, you can apply to both and if you get in, you can differ for a year.
However if you are hard set on the Community college for the fist 2 years - then save the application money and do not apply to the UCs now.
Also for community college, make sure that the one you pick feeds into the UC that is top of your list - that will guarantee an easier transfer process.
Good luck!
If you are still planning to go to the UC after the community college, you can apply to both and if you get in, you can differ for a year.
However if you are hard set on the Community college for the fist 2 years - then save the application money and do not apply to the UCs now.
Also for community college, make sure that the one you pick feeds into the UC that is top of your list - that will guarantee an easier transfer process.
Good luck!
thank youu!!
malu
Erica Favela-Johnson
Tax Accounting
7
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Erica’s Answer
It sounds like you have already decided that you will be going to community college. Hence, there's no need to apply to colleges/universities, until you are ready to move on from community college. Just make sure that your community college credits transfer easily to any college/university. Good luck.
thank you!!
malu
Denee DeForest
Finance/Real Estate
2
Answers
San Luis Obispo, California
Updated
Denee’s Answer
My current experience is assisting a family member, who graduated high school three years ago. We found four-year Universities offered entrance programs that encourage high seniors to apply straight out of high school to four-year universities.
Yes, the Community Colleges tout the high number of students who transfer to four-year universities. In our case, we considered the Community College to a four-year university. However, discovered, if she went to Community College first, there was a lot more ‘red tape’.
This month, she completed her bachelor’s degree. She found it was seamless and less complicated to obtain her BA in a short period of time.
Financial aid is a critical part of the equation. There are tremendous Federal and State programs. Apply early. In addition, a plethora of Scholarship funds/programs offered through the high schools as well from the university, you are considering attending.
Good luck on your journey.
Yes, the Community Colleges tout the high number of students who transfer to four-year universities. In our case, we considered the Community College to a four-year university. However, discovered, if she went to Community College first, there was a lot more ‘red tape’.
This month, she completed her bachelor’s degree. She found it was seamless and less complicated to obtain her BA in a short period of time.
Financial aid is a critical part of the equation. There are tremendous Federal and State programs. Apply early. In addition, a plethora of Scholarship funds/programs offered through the high schools as well from the university, you are considering attending.
Good luck on your journey.
thank you a lot!!
malu
Gina Ringer
National Account Manager
114
Answers
Wheaton, Illinois
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Since you have decided which community college yo're going to, it would be a good idea to make sure the credits will transfer to any of the 4 year universities you are interested in continuing your education at. Since you still have a couple years, there's no need to apply to 4 year colleges just yet. You'd have to reapply in two years anyway. Good luck!
Robert Sisco, MBA
Sr. Technology Consultant
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Malu,
Some 4 year universities have "Direct Connect" programs with 2 year community colleges. I attended a community college for 2 years and I was guaranteed admission to the 4 year university as long as I met the GPA requirement. Make sure you do your research to make sure both schools have the major you are pursuing. Going to a community college for 2 years then transferring can save you thousands of dollars.
I hope this helps!
-Bob
Some 4 year universities have "Direct Connect" programs with 2 year community colleges. I attended a community college for 2 years and I was guaranteed admission to the 4 year university as long as I met the GPA requirement. Make sure you do your research to make sure both schools have the major you are pursuing. Going to a community college for 2 years then transferring can save you thousands of dollars.
I hope this helps!
-Bob
yes this was helpful thank you!!
malu
John McCarthy
U.S. Military
91
Answers
Honolulu, Hawaii
Updated
John’s Answer
Yes. Make sure the credits are transferable. Community College courses are usually a little cheaper than University courses. I took did the exact same thing prior to going to a university since I was working with limited finances.
thank you this is helpful
malu
Felipe Barcia
Sales Engineer
1
Answer
Houston, Texas
Updated
Felipe’s Answer
Hi Malu,
I think that really depends on what you're looking for. If you already more or less know what you want to do career-wise then it might not hurt to apply to universities with programs that you know you're interested in. If you wind up getting into a great program that aligns well with what you want to do as long as the economics workout then you might want to reconsider going to community college or taking some pre-reqs in the summer at a community college and go from there. If you're not sure what you want to do or if you're not sure that the finances work for the full 4 years at a university then go to community college and figure things out, take some electives and get your core classes done for cheap. Just make sure that the course credit will transfer to where ever you go after. Unfortunately you also have to consider the reality that this pandemic we're living through could be around for a while so are you willing to spend a ton of money on zoom classes? Hope this helps, stay safe and good luck out there bud.
-Felipe
Research what your expected career outlook is. (Automatability, growth, earning potential)
Look into the credit that your preferred universities accept and if your community college provides those credits.
Plan out the finances of 2 years at each vs the full 4 at university.
I think that really depends on what you're looking for. If you already more or less know what you want to do career-wise then it might not hurt to apply to universities with programs that you know you're interested in. If you wind up getting into a great program that aligns well with what you want to do as long as the economics workout then you might want to reconsider going to community college or taking some pre-reqs in the summer at a community college and go from there. If you're not sure what you want to do or if you're not sure that the finances work for the full 4 years at a university then go to community college and figure things out, take some electives and get your core classes done for cheap. Just make sure that the course credit will transfer to where ever you go after. Unfortunately you also have to consider the reality that this pandemic we're living through could be around for a while so are you willing to spend a ton of money on zoom classes? Hope this helps, stay safe and good luck out there bud.
-Felipe
Felipe recommends the following next steps:
thank you, I appreciate it.
malu
Chris Carrier
Accounts Receivable Specialist
3
Answers
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Malu,
I believe that Community Colleges can provide a great launch into higher academics. They are cost efficient, many have classes that are specifically geared for transitioning to a University. I have attended both community college and universities and have found that community college instructors have more time for student interaction and coaching. Spending a year or more in community college can shore up any subjects that may need improvement, as well as a less stressful environment then jumping right into University life.
I believe that Community Colleges can provide a great launch into higher academics. They are cost efficient, many have classes that are specifically geared for transitioning to a University. I have attended both community college and universities and have found that community college instructors have more time for student interaction and coaching. Spending a year or more in community college can shore up any subjects that may need improvement, as well as a less stressful environment then jumping right into University life.
thank you!!
malu